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The new year takes on added significance for NHL players on one-year contracts.
As of January 1, players on one-year contracts are now eligible for a contract extension.
NHL observers always monitor the status of players’ contracts, as their stats often determine whether they will remain in their current market. And some NHL veterans on one-year contracts deserve another contract with their club.
Here are eight players teams should try to extend immediately:
Matt Duchene, C, Dallas Stars
Duchene is having another excellent year with the Stars, posting 14 goals and 33 points in 36 games. The 33-year-old is making $3 million with Dallas, which will skyrocket if he hits the open market. The Stars will have a cap crunch even with the cap hit rising, but they need to find a way to keep Duchene happy while maintaining as much cap flexibility as possible. That means getting him signed on an extension well before the offseason arrives.
Related: NHL Free Agency: Seven Pending Western Conference UFAs That Could Demand Big Money
Patrick Kane, RW, Detroit Red Wings
If the Red Wings intend to make the playoffs – which is far from the case this season – they will need to keep Kane in the fold. Like most Wings, Kane has struggled this season, scoring just seven goals and 17 points in 32 games. But he’s clearly bought into general manager Steve Yzerman’s plan, and a decent contract extension shouldn’t be that hard to get for him. The 36-year-old makes $4 million, but he’s not looking to break the bank with a new contract. A slight boost should be able to keep him in the fold.
Kevin Lankinen, G, Vancouver Canucks
Lankinen did everything asked of him and more as a Canuck, posting a 14-6-4 record, 2.58 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 24 appearances. Now that star goaltender Thatcher Demko is back, Lankinen’s workload has lessened, but Vancouver management should find a way to keep him as Demko’s understudy. Lankinen, 29, is currently on a sweet deal worth $875,000, but if he hits the open market, he’s proven he deserves more. Arturs Silovs is still only 23 years old, and it makes no sense to rush him to the NHL if Lankinen is playing this well.
Related: Canucks play Whac-A-Mole: Now with injuries to Hughes, Pettersson and collapse vs. Kraken
Lorentz arrived at Maple Leafs camp without a guaranteed contract, but he impressed Leafs management and earned a one-year contract worth $775,000. Since then, he has occupied an excellent place on Toronto’s fourth line. While his offensive totals aren’t eye-popping — four goals and seven points in 38 games — Lorentz’s physical play and defensive acumen have made him a vital part of the Leafs’ bottom six. The 28-year-old and the team are happy with their situation, and now it’s up to Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to work out a new deal.
Good year! Six #Leaves who have entered into one-year contracts can sign contract extensions today. Here are your candidates. Who do you want to see again? ⤵️https://t.co/gPV2rRh1y3
– David Alter (@dalter) January 1, 2025
Victor Olofsson, LW, Vegas Golden Knights
After a difficult season last year with Buffalo where he recorded seven goals and 15 points in 51 games, Olofsson rejuvenated his career with the Golden Knights. He has eight goals and 13 points in 17 games despite an injury. He’s currently playing on a one-year contract worth $1.075 million, and while Vegas doesn’t have huge amounts of money to spend on him, he’s proving to be a secondary scorer that any team would like.
Max Pacioretty, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Pacioretty, 36, has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, but when he made the Leafs’ roster, he was a valuable addition at $873,770 this season. Pacioretty has five goals and 12 points in 25 games, which is a similar pace to his 23 points in 47 games last season. His entry into the Leafs room as an experienced player will likely result in a short-term extension for him. If he can stay out of the injury department, Pacioretty and Toronto will want to stay together.
Related: NHL Free Agency: Will These Six Waiting Eastern Conference UFAs Go Elsewhere?
Jack Roslovic, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Roslovic bounced between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers last season, but the 27-year-old was terrific for Carolina, scoring 17 goals and 25 points in 37 games. He’s on track to demolish his current career high of 22 goals and 45 points, and his current salary of $2.8 million makes him a great deal. He’s undoubtedly happy to play on a winner, and Carolina is happy to pluck him from free agency and make him a great secondary scoring option for the Hurricanes.
Jason Zucker, LW, Buffalo Sabers
Not much has gone right for the Sabers this season, but the signing of Zucker has worked out well for them. The 32-year-old has a one-year contract worth $5 million and has 11 goals and 26 points in 38 games. If Buffalo doesn’t trade him, Zucker could be a much-needed veteran for a one- or two-year extension. If he’s convinced the Sabers intend to win, Zucker might be persuaded to stay in Western New York and continue to give Buffalo a final goal. But they’ll have to act fast and convince him that it’s worth remaining a Sabre.
Related: Vetting 14 NHL Players Who Signed PTO Deals
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